The Perfect Aruba Packing List

So you’re heading to Aruba, eh? That’s awesome! I’d love to help you with your Aruba packing list. Aruba is an awesome country that is totally different than the rest of the Caribbean. Did you know that much of Aruba is covered in a desert? There are tons of things to do here ranging from the Aruba Ostrich Farm, the Natural Bridge, the Bushiribana Gold Mine Ruins, and the Ayo Rock Formations. Oh, and of course there’s also the beach.

Let’s Talk About the Weather

The weather in Aruba is tropical, but not extremely hot. The weather here is pretty much a constant 82° F (28° C). However, Aruba is located just over 860 miles north of the equator so the sun is hot and you can easily get sunburned. Be particularly careful of the mid-day sun! Luckily, trade winds cool the island down making the hot sun much more bearable.

Since Aruba is so far south, it is rarely impacted by hurricanes. However, tropical systems tend for form close by and do have effects on ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao).

The rainy season ranges from October to January. The rainfall averages about eighteen inches a year.

The Nitty Gritty

Since Aruba is a tourist destination, there are plenty of places to shop and pick up essentials that you may have left at home. Keep in mind you may not be able to find the same brands in Aruba and you should plan on spending a bit more.

To make sure nothing important gets left behind, I’ll be breaking down the ultimate Aruba vacation packing list. I hope this packing list and these travel tips will help you have a great time on your vacation!

Aruba Packing List Essentials

When you’re getting ready for Aruba, there are some things that you absolutely must have with you. All of these items should be in your suitcase, purse, and/or carry-on.

Passport

You absolutely must have your passport to travel to Aruba. Most tourists will not require a visa to visit One Happy Island.

Driver’s License

If you are a terrestrial traveler (aka not arriving by cruise ship), then it is strongly recommended that you rent a car during your stay. You’ll need a US or International Driver’s License to rent a car.

The island is very small, and it’s hard to get lost. The locals will tell you, “If you don’t know where you’re heading to, just keep driving, and eventually you’ll end up there.”

Gas stations work a bit differently in Aruba. Most gas stations will offer an attendant that will pump the gas for you.

Portable and Plug-in Chargers

Obviously, you’re going to be taking a ton of pictures on your trip. You most definitely are going to want to pack a portable power bank for your phone. While you’re thinking about chargers you better grab all of the chargers for your electronics: phone charger, laptop charger, tablet charger, smartwatch charger, and maybe even an electric toothbrush charger!

The Anker PowerPort Cube Power Strip has 3 outlets, 3 USB ports and includes a 5-foot extension cord.

I use the Anker PowerCore 10000 Portable Charger.

Aruba uses 110 volts, 60 cycle electricity, same as the US. Plugs are typically the 2 pronged flat types so US travelers will not typically need a converter or adapter. Outlets rarely have 3 holes so if your device has a third prong, bring an adapter.

Camera & SD Card

Sure, you could just bring your phone along for photos but you’ll probably want to bring a legit camera along as well. I suggest a Nikon D5600 for high-quality photos. While you’re grabbing your camera, don’t forget our SD card! I travel with a 64 GB memory SD card. If you’re feeling wild, you can go for a 128 GB SD memory card.

If you’re planning on spending time at the beach or pool, you’ll probably want to have an underwater camera, as well. Those of you who will be using a phone as a camera, make sure you get a waterproof phone case. I take one of these with me on all of my trips to Central America and the Caribbean.

Cash $

It’s always a good idea to have some cash on hand. I would be careful about carrying around large amounts of money. I would suggest only having $100 (broken into small bills) on your person. You do not have to exchange your money for Aruban florin; Merchants will gladly accept USD.

Credit Cards

Good news, you can use your debit card in Aruba! You can also use your debit card to withdraw cash from ATM’s. Larger hotels, restaurants, and shops will typically be able to accept Visa and MasterCard. I use a travel wallet to keep my passport, cards, and money safe in one place.

Travel Umbrella

Remember, Aruba doesn’t get a ton of rain (only averaging 18 inches annually). However, if you are visiting during the rainy season of October through January you’ll want to pack an umbrella. The good news is the storms tend to be very brief, so don’t cancel your plans just because there’s a little rain in the forecast. I pack an EEZ-Y Windproof Travel Umbrella.

Sun Care

I said it before but I’ll say it again, the sun in Aruba is BRUTAL. Since Aruba is situated so closely the the equator the rays are stronger than most of us are used to. It is especially worse at mid-day. You will most definitely want to apply sunscreen throughout the day.

Even as a Florida girl, I managed to get burned on my trip to Aruba. Trust me, there’s nothing worse than getting sunburned on a vacation. Plan on using a strong sunscreen to protect your skin. If you are hitting the reef, you’ll want to pack coral reef-safe sunscreen. While you’re at it toss some Chapstick with SPF into your bag. You may also want to consider a hat and a sun shirt, as well. I always pack a bit of aloe with me on vacation- just in case. Better safe than sorry, right?

Medications

You should always pack your necessary prescription medications in your carry-on bag. Make sure they are in their original containers.

What to Wear on the Plane to Aruba

Although you’ll be traveling to a tropical destination, you may want to dress a little more warmly on your flight. Since airplanes are typically cool, you’ll want to dress in layers. Consider wearing a tank top with a light sweater, a light hoodie, or a long sleeve shirt. I also usually don’t wear shorts on a plane because my legs tend to get cold.

Make sure you wear shoes that are easy to slide on and off and consider leaving your belt in your suitcase. If you plan on packing a large floppy sun hat, you may want to bring it on the plane so that it doesn’t get squished in your suitcase.

What to Wear During the Day

Keep in mind that the average temperature in Aruba is 82 degrees. It’s also situated really close to the equator so it will feel much hotter. Consider packing clothing that will be comfortable in this climate.

You’ll also want to consider what activities you’ll be doing on your trip. If you’re spending most of your time on the coast you’ll want to focus on coverups, bathing suits, and sandals. If you’re planning on going off-roading (which we totally recommend) or climbing at the Ayo Rock formations, you’ll want to pack activewear. I usually wear breathable yoga pants, a t-shirt, comfortable tennis shoes, sunglasses, and a hat when I’m doing more strenuous activities.

Misc. Electronics

Other Items for Your Aruba Packing List

Scanned Copies of Important Items

It is always smart to carry a scanned copy of the information page of your passport. That way, if you misplace them it’s easier for you to get a replacement. Make sure you pack it in a different place than you keep your physical passport. You can also take a photo of it and store it on your phone.

First Aid Kit

Raise your hand if you’re a klutz like me! Anybody? If you’re anything like me then you totally need to pack a first aid kit. I take one with me when I travel.

Guide Books

If you are a terrestrial traveler, rather than a cruiser, you may want to pack along a guide book. I’m a Lonely Planet fan.

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